2nd Hand Car Query

Jauzman

Hi all.

I bought a 2nd hand car at the end of November 2024. I was given 3 months warranty on the engine and gearbox.

1st. After 2 days ,the clutch went straight to the floor and stayed there. Had to get a tow truck on my insurance to bring the vehicle back to the garage I bought it from.Mechanic fixed it with two cable ties!

2nd. Warning light about low oli pressure started coming on a few days later. Asked the garage if they could do the oil seal as I know it's an issue with the type of vehicle. Garage charged me for doing this.

Went back a second time to have the same thing done as it apparently didn't work first time...no charge.

3rd. Noticed that the auxiliary/alternator belt was ripping and being damaged after another two weeks. Car is now back in Garage. Damage to belt and timing belt due to diesel leaking from diesel pump. Was told by garage owner to get a 2nd pump from scrapyard. Cost me 150 euros. Now at the garage being fixed. Aux belt, diesel pump, timing belt and water pump!!

Do I have to fork out for fixing this complete mess ?? Have I any rights under the Consumer Act 22, Repair, Replace or Refund??

I don't have the vehicle 2 months!

It's worse than ridiculous!

Any help is much appreciated... without smart comments, please.

Raichų

Wait- you’ve been sold a lemon and the garage has had you pay to recover the car the first time and buy parts from scrapyard on the second occasion? Are they taken piss?

Raichų

OP, I’d be requesting a complete and full refund including the money you spent where you shouldn’t have and I’d be going to any other garage to get another car. I’d stop dealing with these cowboys now. Next thing is something happens next month and they’ll wash their hands of it due to warranty period expiring.

carfinder

What is the make, model, year and mileage of the car?

Jauzman

Its a 2013.…250km, Vauxhall Insignia 2.0

carfinder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123069288#Comment_123069288

unfortunately the insignia is not known for reliability especially at that mileage. What price did you pay for it?

Jauzman

€5400

hoodie6029

Solicitor is what you need at this stage OP. Wasting your time otherwise.

carfinder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123069315#Comment_123069315

i dont want to annoy or antagonise you but that was really strong money for such a high mileage example. Probably €2K overpriced or more, depending on condition. How long since last NCT and how long remaining?

Jauzman

NCT done just before I bought it....but backdated. NCT good until May 2025 😡

carfinder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123069446#Comment_123069446

A red flag there but that's not going to help.

I would suggest formally requesting a refund (in writing or email). Once ignored you then need to go legal, and quickly. The high price you paid means its worth your while pursuing a refund - you are entitled to one in my opinion.

I seriously doubt that any garage that sold the likes of that car is going to voluntarily give you your money back but they might react to a solicitors letter - that's step 2 after formally requesting a refund (step 1)

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123069323#Comment_123069323

No need for a solicitor really. Plenty of free advice online via CCPC or Citizens Advice. You can also call them and explain the situation, or you can claim at the small claims court for up €2000

ronaneire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123069315#Comment_123069315

€5,000.00 too much

carfinder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123072135#Comment_123072135

What The OP needs is a refund of the €5400 he paid. The small claims court isn't relevant for that. The car is obviously a lemon and a full refund is the only solution for the OP

CCPC or citizens advice won't engage with the seller on behalf of the OP - a solicitor, engaged by the OP will represent his interests and initiate legal proceedings if necessary. The seller may deal with the matter if they understand that the OP is lawyered up and means business rather than the OP meekly telling the seller that citizens advice advised him to ask for a refund.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123072426#Comment_123072426

Are they even entitled to a refund tho? The car has had a couple of issues and the dealer is fixing them. They should just be compensated for the repair costs which the garage should have been covering. You can’t just get a refund because you overpaid for a car that is known to be unreliable. If they paid a fair price and the car wasn’t known to be unreliable no one here would be suggesting a refund.

Idbatterim

Do not touch opels… also garages are gangster's, often far better, going private... get a Japanese car...

I wonder could op change it for something reliable from the samegarage, but have it checked out first by a good mechanic...

carfinder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123072474#Comment_123072474

That's not a bad idea - though I'd imagine the type of garage that sold the lemon probably has many more of them. Might be hard to find a genuine replacement from these types

Jauzman

Now.......the alternator, mass flywheel is gone! Had to get the AA to tow it back to the dealership. Probably won't do any work on it unless he's paid. Have the car just two months now! 😭

CMOTDibbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123120786#Comment_123120786

I have to ask what your three month warranty actually covers? You seem to be paying for everything bar a repeat visit for the same fault.

Brian Scan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123072391#Comment_123072391

Helpful.

Jauzman

Only three months/ 3000 miles warranty on engine and gearbox. When I called to them over three weeks ago to get the alternator belt and timing belt done, the told me my warranty was no good as I had done over 3000 miles...lies, I hadn't even done 2000 miles.

mk7r

Yeah you overpaid by about 4000 unfortunately, any dealer selling an insignia is a red flag as they are well known money pits, push for a refund if possible